While the land is zoned residential, the board can grant special exceptions for hospitals, convalescent homes, schools and parks.

Nearly all of the members of the public who came to the Aug. 20 meeting supported the project.

Brenda O’Keefe, owner of Joey’s Pancake House, said there was a tremendous need in the community for such a facility so people wouldn’t have to travel to Waynesville or Canton to visit their families.

“Everybody’s talking about this being a tourist town. This goes a long way in making us more of an actual town,” she said. O’Keefe said she has absolutely no problem with the development, even though it borders both her business and her home.

Billy Case, a real estate broker, was the only one to speak out against the project at the meeting. Case asked if anyone had investigated the development company and wondered if the possibility of using other sites had been explored.

Board member Bill Banks said he supported the project because it would increase the tax base and bring in some needed jobs.